Minneapolis tallies record voter turnout in primary; 65% of ballots were cast early

Minneapolis voters turned out in record numbers for Tuesday’s primary, according to a city spokesperson.

In all, 130,888 ballots were cast, and 85,217, or 65%, were cast early. It marks the first time more people voted early than on the day of an election in Minneapolis, the city said.

Turnout in this year’s election shattered the previous record for a primary, which was set in 2018 with 101,266 ballots cast.

Under a new state law, all ballots must be postmarked by Election Day and be received in the mail no later than two days of the primary. About 8,300 mail-in ballots were delivered on Wednesday and Thursday and were added to the results from Tuesday night, the city said.

The main draw was the 5th Congressional District Democratic primary in which mediator and attorney Antone Melton-Meaux unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Rep. Ilhan Omar.

Total voter turnout for the district, which includes Minneapolis and several first-ring suburbs, was 190,878. According to the number of registered voters as of 7 a.m. Tuesday, 43% of those registered in the district cast a ballot.